The Meaning of the Hadith: One Scholar Is More Severe for Satan Than a Thousand Worshippers

Question:
Honorable Shaykh! This questioner says: Did this hadith come down, "One scholar ," and what is its meaning?

Answer:
In the name of Allah, the Most Gracious, the Most Merciful. Praise be to Allah, Lord of the worlds, and may Allah send prayers and blessings upon our Prophet Muhammad. Yes, one scholar is more severe for Satan than a thousand worshippers who are not scholars, because the scholar confuses Satan and rebuts him, whereas the worshipper does not have knowledge, so Satan may gain power over him and spread doubts to him. This indicates the virtue of knowledge and the virtue of scholars. Even if it is just one scholar, provided he carries the knowledge correctly and fulfills his obligation and its right, he is more severe for Satan than a thousand worshippers. As the poet said: "The people are a thousand, but one of them is like one, and one is like a thousand if he commands what I command." Yes.